CPA’s Neuropsychology Division Presents:
Forensic Neuropsychology
Presented By: Chriscelyn Tussey, PhD
Date & Time: Friday, April 24th, 2026 at 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Location: Live via Zoom. Zoom link will be emailed with ticket
Cost:
FREE for CPA Members (Log in to account to access)
$40.00 for Non-members
Continuing Education: 1.5 CE Eligibility pending
Presentation Abstract:
In clinical and forensic work alike, cognitive functioning is often the “silent variable” that shapes how a person presents, what they can reliably report, and what they are capable of understanding and doing. This CE talk provides a practical, clinician-friendly introduction to forensic neuropsychology—focused less on test minutiae and more on how neurocognitive data are used (and misused) to address psycholegal questions. This talk briefly orients attendees to the evolution of the specialty and the core building blocks of a defensible forensic opinion. Common cognitive deficits and neurocognitive conditions encountered in forensic contexts, including those associated with neurological illness, developmental conditions, and serious mental illness, will be reviewed, with attention to how these impairments may be relevant to psycholegal questions.
Select case law as well as relevant ethical and professional standards/guidelines, common pitfalls, and practical decision points around scope of competence, are emphasized—including when a brief cognitive screener may be appropriate within a broader evaluation, when it is not, and how to make a timely, well-framed referral to neuropsychology. Practical considerations in cases where cognition is central—including test selection, interpretation of findings, and integration into forensic opinions and report writing—are discussed. Case examples and opportunities for practical application of these concepts will be integrated throughout the talk.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify at least three common cognitive deficits and/or diagnoses encountered in forensic populations.
- List at least three relevant ethical standards or professional guidelines applicable to forensic evaluations involving cognitive deficits.
- Describe at least four pragmatic factors that should be considered when conducting forensic evaluations in which cognitive deficits are relevant to the psycholegal question.
Research Citations:
1. Sweet, J. J., Boone, K. B., Denney, R. L., Hebben, N., Marcopulos, B. A., Morgan, J. E., Nelson, N. W., & Westerveld, M.. (2023). Forensic neuropsychology: History and current status. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 37
2. Tussey, C., Lacritz, M., Arredondo, B. C., & Marcopulos, B. (2025). Forensic neuropsychological foundations in competency to stand trial evaluations. Archives of
3. Marcopulos, B. A., Kaufmann, P., & Patel, A. C.. (2024). Forensic neuropsychological assessment. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 42(4), 265–277. https://doi.org/10.
Presenter Biography:
Dr. Chriscelyn Tussey obtained a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and completed her predoctoral internship in the Forensic Track at Bellevue Hospital Center/New York University School of Medicine. Upon obtaining her doctorate degree, she completed a one-year postdoctoral fellowship in Forensic Psychology at the University of Virginia Health Center (UVA). During this year, Dr. Tussey conducted both criminal and civil forensic evaluations at the Institute for Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy (ILPPP), frequently consulted with attorneys, and served as an expert witness. Given her interest in brain-behavior relationships and the frequent overlap she observed between forensic work and neuropsychology, she subsequently completed a two-year APPCN postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology.
Dr. Tussey is the founder of Metropolitan Forensic and Neuropsychological Consultation, PLLC. She is also the former Director of Psychological Assessment at Bellevue Hospital Center and a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU School of Medicine, where she currently maintains a faculty appointment. Dr. Tussey has been qualified as an expert witness in State and Federal courts. She is an invited speaker at local, national, and international conferences and has published on forensic and neuropsychological topics. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses, and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York University. Dr. Tussey is involved in leadership positions both locally and nationally. She previously served as the chair of the Mentorship Committee for the American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS), and as the chair of the Women in Leadership Committee of the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN). She is a former Program Chair for NAN and member of the Brain Health Task Force. She is currently a member of the Leadership Ambassador Development Program (LEAD) and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Task Force. At the state level, Dr. Tussey has served on the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Neuropsychology (NYSAN), where she remains involved today.
Post-Webinar Evaluation Form:
Post-webinar evaluation form will be provided during the event and must be completed to receive a Continuing Education (CE) certificate.
Closed Captions: Live audio captions are accessible for this event. If you need additional disability-related accommodations, please contact us by email us at info@connpsych.org or by phone (860) 404-0333. Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of workshop date.
Refund Policy: Participants may direct questions to CPA by email at info@connpsych.org or by phone at (860) 404-0333. Registrants may cancel and receive a full refund up to two-weeks in advance of workshop date. An administrative fee of $30 will be charged for cancellation of registration within two weeks of the workshop date (Social Justice events will not be charged an administrative fee). Please note, no refunds will be granted within 24 hours of workshop date.
Continuing Education Approval:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content. CPA will issue certificates of completion. APA CE rules require that we only issue credits to those who attend the entire workshop. Those logging into the Zoom webinar more than 15 minutes late or logging off before the entire workshop is completed will not receive CE credits (i.e. partial CE credit will not be issued).
CPA GRIEVANCE POLICY:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists. The CPA will comply with all legal and ethical guidelines for non-discrimination in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of CE participants. While the CPA strives to assure fair treatment for all participants and to anticipate problems before they occur, occasionally grievances may be filed. In cases where a participant files a written or oral grievance, the following actions are taken:
If the grievance concerns the content of the workshop, a CPA representative will mediate and will be the final arbitrator. If the participant requests action, the CPA will either provide a credit for a subsequent CE offering or provide a partial or full refund of the CE fee already paid. Actions involving a credit or a refund will require a written note documenting the grievance for record-keeping purposes. The aggrieved individual need not sign the note. If the grievance specifically concerns the CPA, the CPA will attempt to arbitrate.
Direct correspondence to: The Connecticut Psychological Association, P.O. Box #1167, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 or by email to executivedirector@connpsych.org.
